Thanks to all who contributed to last night’s meeting with ideas and energy – we made a lot of progress. Below are my notes on decisions and action items, with names of those who are responsible for follow up. Please get back to me if anything should be corrected, or is missing.

Chris’s sketch plan and Sandy’s exhibit description were approved for submission to PHS. Sandy will submit them ASAP. The exhibit plan is subject to refinement and modification. Final scale drawing in plan and elevation to be submitted to PHS by September 30.

Sandy will create a page on the web site with links to relevant documents and images (seeing no one wants to use Dropbox L)

Design, materials, and construction of exhibit elements

Pond – Form will be created with double stacked cinder block. Sharon Reed as located a donor of a pallet of 105 cinder blocks (Fizzano Bros). Standard cinder block is 7.625-in x 7.625-in x 15.625-in, so double course is 15¼ ” high. Water depth would be a couple of inches less. I think we were talking about something a bit deeper, so we may need to rethink.

Pond – rock surround and waterfall. We’d like to get Paul Pezzotti involved in design and landscaping the pond and waterfall.

Waterfall – approximately 24 inches high above water surface. Water will spill out of a weir box attached to a plywood vertical (against the wall). Water will run onto a flat piece of ?bluestone with a rough edge. Will need stone to camouflage the liner, plywood and waterfall box. Waterfall will be fed by submersible pump, 2” tubing, bulkhead thru to liner. Waterfall will be disguised with parrot feather in a box above the weir.

“Real” rainwater harvesting permeable paver patio set on milk crate-type water collection system. Marshall will talk to Alden Zove of Cedar Run Landscapes about getting him involved in constructing a demonstration rainwater harvesting system.

“Fake” rainwater harvesting patio – pavers set at floor level with pea gravel between pavers. We can add a rain barrel with circulating water from the top of the pergola. This is the fall-back option.

Pergola – 6’ x 10’ x 8’ above the surface of the patio. Craig will research designs and estimate wood requirements. Pergola will be built in sections in advance, and designed to be bolted together at construction.

Retaining wall – We need a retaining wall round the outside of some of the exhibit to keep the mulch and plantings in place. There are a couple of options.

Sandy to share design with Marge Koogle and discuss water and marginal plants for pond (also liner – see above)

Chris is talking with Clear View Nursery about available perennials and other plants

Gail will get involved at next meeting. Several members are interested in forcing bulbs for the exhibit.

Plant list to be submitted to PHS by January 6.

Fish

Fish will need to be kept indoors prior to the show. Victor will ask the Stouffers if they would be willing to lend fish and/or take boarders.

Chris has a contact who can provide 10-12 6”-8” acclimated koi at $10 each.

Pond will not have filtration. Fish will need to be fed. We need to stop coins being thrown in the pond.

Other Items

Victor and Gail will work with Garden Accents on garden ornaments.

We’ll also need furniture for the pergola.

The plan is to have a TV set on the back wall of the pergola with slide show and/or videos of ponds, educational material, etc. We’ll need at least a 55” TV. No one assigned to this.

Backdrop: The Convention Center wall is dull green. We need to look at options and materials -- decorated fence, custom backdrop, off-the-self backdrop or a combination.

Ed will talk to Center Point to see if they are interested in contributing.

Next meeting: Monday, September 18 at 7:00 PM at 706 Cambridge Rd, Bala-Cynwyd.

FYI: Quick calculation on pond: if pond is roughly 9 ft in diameter, it will require 22+ cinder blocks per course, so a double course -> 45 blocks. If pond is 15 inches deep it will be roughly 600 gallons (= about 5000 lbs in weight).